“Festival of Cultures” at BSC on April 10 will Create Opportunity to Gain Better Understanding of the World through Music, Dance, Arts & Food

(Bluefield)—A “Festival of Cultures” at Bluefield State College on April 10 offers a dynamic opportunity for residents of the region to join the College community and gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the world. The day-long program, organized and coordinated by the College’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, will permit attendees to experience other cultures through music, dance, arts, lectures, and food. The festival was envisioned by Dr. Sapphire Cureg, BSC’s Director of Multicultural Affairs, whose grant award from the West Virginia Humanities Council has provided financial support essential for the ambitious celebration.

“This project has been in my thoughts for quite a while,” Dr. Cureg explained. “The idea is to utilize Bluefield State College as a venue where everyone can experience different cultures, tastes, styles and grow from these new experiences.”

The festival begins at 10 a.m. with BSC students and administrators, along with community leaders, extending a welcome to guests. Displays for vendors, food, arts & crafts, and international entertainment will be accessible in the Ned Shott Physical Education Building on campus. “Ron DeWitt, Tamarack’s artisan director, will provide an exciting array of items, all of which are the work of West Virginia’s most skilled craftspersons,” Cureg added.

At noon, the highly acclaimed “Latin Ballet of Virginia” will perform several Latin dances at the Basic Science Auditorium. The “Solazo Band,” featuring music from South America, will be next on stage. “Music and dance touch the soul of the individual, Cureg said. “These groups will manifest how their dance and music preserve and provide insights into the life and times of their cultures.”

Later that afternoon, several BSC students will offer dramatic theme-appropriate readings at the Hebert Gallery in the Harris-Jefferson Student Center.

“At least and at most, the festival aspires to show our diverse audience a really, really good time,” Cureg asserted.

The programs and performances are offered, free of charge. Food and crafts will be on sale. The project is presented by Bluefield State College with financial assistance from the West Virginia Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this festival do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“The festival will educate our students, our community, and our guests to a variety of cultures, customs, and ways of life,” Dr. Cureg summarized. “By interacting with diverse individuals and groups, people realize that although we have differences in terms of nationalities, ethnicities, race, and cultures, we are all members of the same human family and we have more similarities than differences.”

Individuals and organizations interested in learning more about the Festival of Cultures are encouraged to contact Dr. Cureg by phone (304) 327-4512 or by e-mail (scureg@bluefieldstate.edu).